MV Red Kestrel

MV Red Kestrel is a freight ferry built by Cammell Laird for Red Funnel for use on its Southampton to East Cowes service. She was launched on 19 February 2019 and entered service in May 2019 after completing her sea trials.

Red Kestrel ferry heading down Southampton Water
History
United Kingdom
NameMV Red Kestrel
Operator Red Funnel
BuilderCammell Laird
Laid down31 May 2018
Launched19 February 2019
In service24 May 2019
Identification
StatusActive
General characteristics
Class and typeFreight Ferry
Tonnage1,070 GT
Length74.25 m (243.6 ft)
Beam17 m (55.8 ft)
Installed power2 x Cummins QSK38 Tier III diesel engines (2 x 969kW)
Propulsion2 x Rolls-Royce US 155FP azimuth thrusters
Speed12.5 kn (23.2 km/h; 14.4 mph)
Capacity12 passengers, 12 HGVs
Crew6-7
Notes[1]

History

Red Funnel's £10 million order for the new ship was announced on 14 February 2018. The introduction and operation of Red Kestrel was intended to increase freight capacity on the busy Southampton to East Cowes route, while increasing space for passengers aboard the existing Raptor-class fleet with the predicted increase in HGVs exclusively being transported by Red Kestrel. The ferry provides 265 lane metres of roll-on/roll-off freight capacity and accommodation for up to 12 passengers.[2]

The keel for MV Red Kestrel was laid down on 31 May 2018 at Cammell Laird in Birkenhead in a ceremony attended by 300 guests.[3][4] She was floated out on 19 February 2019 and in April underwent sea trials on the River Mersey.[5] The vessel departed the Mersey for Southampton on 11 April 2019,[6] arriving on 18 April 2019.[7]

The vessel was officially named in a ceremony on 25 April 2019, attended by Alok Sharma, Minister of State for Employment.[8] She entered service in May 2019.[9][10][11]

References
  1. "New Freight Ship Specification" (PDF). www.redfunnel.co.uk. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  2. "Red Funnel Places Order For New £10Million Freight Ferry". Island Echo. 14 February 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  3. "Keel laid for Red Funnels' new roro vessel in traditional ceremony". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  4. "Red Funnel's first freight ship named at keel laying ceremony". OnTheWight. 1 June 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  5. "Cammell Laird launches newly-built £10m vessel onto the Mersey". Liverpool Business News. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  6. Halcrow, Bradley (11 April 2019). "Red Funnel's new vessel is on her way to Southampton". Daily Echo. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  7. "Red Kestrel Arrives in Southampton". www.redfunnel.co.uk. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  8. "RED FUNNEL'S NEW FREIGHT FERRY OFFICIALLY WELCOMED INTO THE FLEET". Island Echo. 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  9. "Cammel Laird stages "float-off" for new £10m ferry for Red Funnel". NI Ferry. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  10. "Red Kestrel Enters Service | Red Funnel". www.redfunnel.co.uk. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  11. New Ferry Red Kestrel Named Ships Monthly June 2019 page 7
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